41 Shadows of the past ….
Miriam POV ( Nanny )
I was hunched over a hardcover notebook in my small office at the back of the café .
My brows furrowed in concentration as I jotted down L’s recent symptoms , trying to make sense of the changes I’d been observing .
Since she started getting her pheromones every month , I made it my duty to note down the symptoms and help her prepare for the next month but this month had taken us by surprise .
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Excessive heat and increased sexual behaviour
I jotted it down checking other cycles to see what was missing .
Today was the first day and she was already showing signs associated with thest day of her heat .
Something was not right .
My pen hovered over the book as I pondered for a moment , trying to figure out if her trip to Blue Ridge Pack was the cause .
Though she had promised to tell me everything about what went down there , 1 wish she would spill already .
I knew something had happened to her and I didn’t know why she wasn’t telling
mc .
A soft knock on the door interrupted my thoughts .
I quickly closed the notebook and pretended to be working with the system in front of me .
Sarah poked her head in .
“ Mrs Grayson ? Miriam ? ” Sarah gave me a baffled expression “ Someone is asking for you at the
counter .
My eyebrows shot up in surprise .
I wasn’t used to visitors – especially the ones asking for me by my name .
I didn’t have any friends in town , nor did I socialize with anyone beyond the café regrs .
Slowly , I dropped the notebook inside the table drawers , locking it before I rose to my
feet .
“ Did the person leave a name or something ? ” I asked , my curiosity growing .
Hoping it was not another batch of Panthers .
I’ve caught several of them this week hovering outside the café .
They were all trying to get information about L .
Thankful for the little skills and knowledge I had , I had sent them home but in bad shape .
I cracked my fingers , stretching my neck as I walked towards the door .
I had to be prepared for anything .
Sarah shrugged .
“ He didn’t give his name .
Just insisted to speak with you .
” .
“ Thank you
you , Sarah ,” I shed her a smile .
“ I’ll be out in a minute .
A momentter , I made my way to the front .
As I approached the counter , my heart dropped into my stomach .
Standing by the entrance was a man I had hoped to never see again .
He stood there , his eyes darting back and forth from the café , he looked so ufortable and out of ce .
My expression hardened instantly .
Despite an attempt to hide the hatred for him in my heart , it was visible in my eyes .
I stopped a few feet away from him , not bothering to reach the counter , crossing my arms over my chest .
Our gaze met and held .
41 Shadows of the past .
“ What do you want ? ” I asked coldly .
–
His eyes flickered over my body and for a moment , a pang of guilt crossed his face .
But it was gone as quickly as it appeared .
He looked the same as he always had broad shoulders , tall , with a rough edge that had once been alluring but now only reminded me of all the pain he had caused .
“ I need to talk to you , he said , his tone surprisingly soft as though he was trying to pacify me .
Thest time he had showed up , when L had turned 17 , we fought and since then , we never spoke .
I scoffed , rolling my eyes in annoyance .
“ Can’t you say whatever it is that brought you without drama ? ”
“ It’s important your cars hear this alone , Miriam .
Please … ”
here
“ Fine ! ” I sighed gesturing towards the door that led to the back of the café .
When he came behind the counters , I led him to my small office .
Once inside , I shut the door behind him , crossing my arms again , leaning against the edge of my desk and fixing him a steely gaze .
“ Well ? ”
He cleared his throat , shifting awkwardly .
“ How’s L ? ”
My eyes narrowed .
“ She’s none of your business ,” I snapped .
“ Why are you really here ? ”
He ran a hand through his hair , a gesture so familiar it made my chest ache with unwanted memories .
“ Look , I’m only trying here .
I know I haven’t been present .
But things are different now .
Can you go easy on me for once ? ”
I smirked .
“ Easy on you ? That’s riching from someone like you .
Why are you here ? ”
He sighed .
“ I’vee to warn you … ”
“ Warn me ? ” My lips curled into a smile .
“ How noble of you .
But I don’t need your warnings .
Your don’t get to pretend to care about us just because you’re feeling guilty .
”
His expression grew serious .
“ The Lycan Leader is looking for L .
You need to stay under the .
radar .
Thankfully she doesn’t have her Pack Mark on but he’s been searching for her frantically .
I told him , you’re an Omega and do not have our mark .
So , you must be careful .
“ I already knew that , I scoffed .
“ Do you know how many Panthers I’ve had to deal with this week ? Your warning came a little toote .
”
“ He’s also , watching me , Miriam .
I had to slip out today because the annual Moon Goddess Ceremonymences soon and I know he’ll be super busy .
”
“ Thanks for your care but we’re perfectly fine and It’s my job to protect her .
”
He nodded , exhaling deeply .
“ Did she tell you she was attacked by the Ferals near the White Mountains – the Northern Forests to be precise ? Has she recovered yet ? ”
The smirk on my face faltered for a brief moment .
So that was how she got injured ?
“ I guess by the surprise on your face that you didn’t know either ?” he sighed , running his hand
M
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41 Shadows of the past ….
.
He took a step closer , his eyes pleading .
“ Things have changed .
We need to tell … ”
“ No ! ” I cut him off , my voice firm .
“ We are not telling her anything .
We don’t need anything from you .
I said we’re fine .
You don’t need to worry about us and you certainly don’t need to show up here like some concerned … ” I bit my tongue at thest word .
“ You’ve never been that for her
He opened his mouth as if to say something else but my re stopped him in his tracks .
“ Save it .
Whatever it is , I don’t want to hear it .
Just go .
”
“ Mirima please … ” he pleaded .
“ Leave ! ” I said firmly .
He hesitated , his eyes flickering with something unreadable , but eventually , he nodded .
Without another word , he turned and walked out of the office , leaving me standing there , my heart pounding in my chest .
As the door closed behind him , I let out a slow breath , although I was still feeling tense .
I didn’t trust him , but I was certain he wasn’t going to interfere with L again .
Later that evening , after the café had closed and I arrived home , my senses , immediately became on high alert .
Something felt off – an unfamiliar presence lingered in the air .
It was faint but it set me on edge .
I ced my keys on the table , looking around , my instincts telling me that something seemed , different .
But as I walked through the house , checking the windows and doors , everything seemed in ce .
Still , the strange feeling was still there .
Then as I approached L’s room , I noticed something else – L’s Pheones were not as strong as before .
Usually , as she was on her heat , every part of the house would be filled with it .
But the scent was unusually faint .
I panicked for a brief moment , myheart skipping a beat .
Was L gone ? Did the Panthers get here already ? ”
I rushed to her room and kicked the door , prepared for the worst , only to find the girl sleeping peacefully in her bed .
Relief flooded my chest as I saw the girl was safe .
I approached the bed , kneeling down beside her and reached out to gently stroke her hair , my finger threading through her soft strands .
For a moment , I just watched her , the tension in my shoulders easing .
There was something about her -something beyong what L herself knew … I’ve been watching over her since she was a baby and I wasn’t goint to stop now .
?
L stirred slightly in her sleep , her eyelids fluttering open as she blinked groggily .
“ Nanny ? ” she mumbled sleepily .
“ Shh , ” I soothed smiling softly , my hand still stroking her hair .
“ Go back to sleep sweetheart ,” I whispered .
“ I’m here .
”
41 Shadows of the past ….
nkets .
I continued to sit there , watching of her as my heart swelled with a fierce
protectiveness that only seemed to grow stronger with each passing day .
I waited until I was sure she was fast asleep .
With ease , I gently flipped her over , removing the towel that was wrapped around her chest as I turned to inspect the wounds on her back .
The so – called Feral wounds .
Since her room was dark , there was not much I could see .
Just as I was about to turn on her bedsidemp , I noticed three dots gleaming on her back.
Frowning , I reached for the bedsidemp and turned it on .
It was not
three dots – it was three stars , lined directly on her spine .
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